Oulu Rugby Club welcomes everyone to give rugby a try and discover a new sport!
Oulu Rugby Club welcomes everyone to give rugby a try and discover a new sport! Our minimum age is 15, but younger players can also join, with full-contact training and matches introduced at a later stage.
Rugby is a physically demanding sport that, at its best, is also incredibly rewarding.
Physical and mental wellbeing:
Rugby requires speed, strength, endurance and agility. Few beginners have the perfect physique for rugby. The good news is that few experienced players do either! The longer you play, the more you develop both physically and mentally. You might even find fresh motivation for your gym sessions alongside rugby training!
Rugby demands mental resilience and strategic thinking. It helps you develop mental toughness, decision-making skills and the ability to stay focused under pressure. These qualities can be valuable both on the rugby pitch and in many other areas of life.
The team and your teammates:
Rugby is known for its strong team spirit and teamwork. Joining a rugby team gives you a supportive, inclusive community where you build lasting friendships and work towards shared goals. Join the team and you’ll instantly gain a whole group of new friends who are willing to push themselves physically and mentally to help you succeed, both on and off the pitch.
Building character:
Rugby encourages values such as discipline, respect and sportsmanship. The sport emphasises fair play, integrity and respect for opponents and match officials. Playing rugby helps develop strength of character and a sense of personal responsibility.
Opportunities to grow:
Whether you’re new to sport or looking for a fresh challenge, rugby offers opportunities for personal growth and skill development. As you learn the rules, techniques and strategies, you can keep improving and progressing—even to the national team or playing abroad!
If you’re looking for a physical sport that develops fitness, teamwork, mental toughness and personal growth, rugby is an excellent choice for you.
At Oulu Rugby Club, training and other activities are planned around the summer playing season. The best time for new players to join is in autumn or winter, as training closer to the season often focuses on teamwork and tactics for the match squads.
You can still start playing rugby at any time. We always welcome new players and adjust the level of contact and physical intensity in training to suit beginners! The coach will let new players know when they’re ready for full contact, both in training and in matches.
Previous sporting experiencein almost any sport is helpful, as it makes training easier and helps you pick up rugby more quickly. Our current players come from backgrounds including martial arts, football, ice hockey, CrossFit, cricket and even esports!
The costs of playing rugby can be divided into four categories: membership fees, equipment, insurance and “other activities”.
Membership fee:
The membership fee covers training throughout the year (pitch hire), training equipment (balls, tackle pads, etc.), home and away match costs, and fees paid to SRL, the Finnish Rugby Federation.
Our club keeps its overheads low, and all work—including coaching, team management and running refreshments at home matches—is done by volunteers out of love for the sport. We aim to keep membership affordable so that money doesn’t prevent anyone from playing!
The membership fee for 2027 is €150, split into spring and autumn instalments. If you join closer to the autumn season, you won’t be charged for the spring season.
New players don’t have to pay straight away. You’re welcome to try rugby free of charge for a month or two before we ask you to pay the membership fee.
Equipment:
Most beginners already have everything they need at home: suitable sports shoes, a water bottle and clothes that can get a little dirty or torn.
Equipment costs remain modest as you progress. To take part fully, you’ll need rugby or football boots and a mouthguard.
At the lower end, equipment costs are just a few dozen euros per year.
Insurance:
Rugby is considered a high-risk sport, so you should check that your personal accident insurance covers it.
The cost of the playing licence and associated insurance needed for the season depends on the number of matches you play. On average, the cost has been around €100 per month during the playing season (approximately three months).
If you only want to train and don’t play matches that require a licence, you don’t need to purchase a playing licence or its associated insurance.
“Other activities”
Socialising is an essential part of rugby. We get together to watch international matches at local pubs, where some of our more enthusiastic members may enjoy a few refreshments to quench their thirst.
You can spend a considerable amount on “other activities” if you wish, but what matters most is joining in.
€0–1,000 per year
